Dressing bag



y 9, 1939. H, 1.. BUTMAN 2,157,280

DRESSING BAG Filed March 23, 1958 2 J2 Fi j 1 :277. 4 BY fie/efi L, 2 23223)? QMMAMM ATTORNEYS Waitenteri May 3 39, 193% ururso STATES "PATENT OFFiffE 3 Claims,

This invention relates to improvements in dressing bags.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a portable dressing bag capable of being used for dress and undress at a beach without the necessity of securing bathhouse accommodations.

Second, to provide a waterproofed fabric dressing bag capable of use as described and having novel provisions for closing or fastening the same, for receiving toilet articles and clothing, and for rendering the same portable.

Third, to provide a bag of the type described adapted to enclose the person of the user while dressing or undressing, which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear view partially broken away illustrating the dressing bag of the present invention and details of construction thereof.

Fig. 2- is an enlarged view in section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the dressing bag folded into portable form.

Fig. t is a view in section similarto Fig. 2, illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

The present invention relates to a dressing bag for use in dressing or undressing at a beach or in a car or in other situations, where other or more desirable accommodations are not available.

, its waterproof fabric construction and includes a suitable compartment or compartments adapt- ,ed to receive articles of apparel, toilet articles, and/or other articles, such as towels, etc., normally utilized by a person in dressing or undressing at a beach. Said bag includes provisions in the form of a readily releasable closing means for securing the same in operative position to enclose the person of the user and is further characterized by provisions whereby the same may be readily folded into a neat and compact portable form, being provided with handles conveniently arranged on the bag for that purpose. The bag of this invention constitutes a very desirable and satisfactory substitute for dressing room accommodations.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral l indicates in general the dressing bag of The same is preferably characterized by my invention, which is formed of suitable fabric material preferably provided with a waterproofing or rubberizing treatment. Of course, considerable latitude is possible in the type of material used to form the bag and it will be apparent, if cheapness of construction is a primary object, that a proper grade of paper may be employed.

The bag is formed in a tubular outline as illustrated in Fig. 2, having the front and rear walls 2, 3, respectively, and the sides 4 which, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, are provided with expanding gussets or bellows folding portions 5. The top and bottom of the bag are closed and in the front walls thereof I provide a head receiving opening 6 which is of proper size to snugly surround the neck of the user in use. To permit entry and exit of the user, the front of the bag is provided with a slot at I communicating with the opening 5, said slit being closed by a slide fastener 8 of extensively used type. In use, the bag rests on the shoulders of the user, completely covering his person, yet the same is large enough in size to permit movement of the arms such as is necessary in dressing or undressing. As to the exactdimensions of the bag, they are of course a matter of choice, however it should be understood that the same should be long enough to permit the user to stand upright without subjecting the bag to rupturing stresses. Being closed at the bottom, it will be understood that there is no possibility for sand, dirt, or insects to gain entry to the bag and, thereby constituting a nuisance.

If desired, a suitable pocket or pockets 8 may be stitched on the front wall 2, the same affording space to receive various toilet articles and other articles such as towels, slippers and the like. These pockets are preferably formed large enough to receive the clothes of the user as well as valuables and other articles which it may be desirable to place therein. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the pocket 9 is formed of a suitable fabric stitched to the front wall 2 at [0.

In Fig. 2 I illustrate indotted lines the relative position assumed by the walls of the bag when expanded. The size of the bellows or gussets 5 will, of course, determine the fronttoback spacing of the walls in operative position.

The walls are all flexible and will expand to accommodate persons of different sizes.

In order to adapt the bag for convenient carrying, I provide a pair of handles H which are stitched to the sides of the bag in such position that the latter may be folded to compact the has and bring the handles into position for grasping. I find it desirable to locate the handles at a point somewhat abpve the median line AA, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Infolding the bag for transportation, the same is sequentially folded along the transverse lines B-B, AA, CC, then upon a longitudinal line midway between the handles Ii, thus bringing the bag into the compact form illustrated in Fig. 3, the handles being in such position that they may be conveniently grasped to secure the bag in folded relation and to carry the same.

A bathing suit or other clothing may be enclosed in the folded bag.

In Fig. 4, I illustrate a modified and simplified form of my invention, wherein the gusset seam B is replaced by a simple lnfolded stitched seam l2 and wherein, if desired, the pocket 9 may be omitted in order to reduce the cost of the article. This article may be made of the preferred rubberized water resistant fabric or of other fabrics or flexible materialsuch as may be found practical. In the interests of cheapness of production, a paper material may be resorted to.

The slide fastener 1 may of course be replaced by other suitable fastening provisions and it will of course be understood that the carrying handles ll may be replaced or augmented, if desired, by snap or button fasteners (not shown) to retain the folded bag in compact form.

The above described dressing bag is one that may be used on a beach or in a car to change from street wear to a bathing suit and vice versa, the user being completely covered at all times except for the head.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which are very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desirelto secure by Letters Patent,'is:

1. In a dressing bag, an elongated tubular member of waterproofed fibrous material having front and rear walls, a closed top and bot tom, and gusseted sides, said front wall having an opening adapted to receive the neck of a wearer, and a pair of handles secured to the sides of saidmember and located relative to the length thereof whereby to permit the member to be folded to position the handles medially of and at opposite sides of the member in folded condition, said handles being thereafter brought together to compact the folded structure and provide means for carrying the same.

In a dressing bag, an elongated tubular member having front and rear walls, a closed top and bottom, and gusseted sides, said member having a single opening only therein adapted to receive the neck of a wearer, a pocket secured to said bag for receiving articles, and a pair of handles secured to the side edges of said member, said handles providing means for carrying the bag.

3. A dressing bag of hollow tubular construction, said bag having front and rear walls and a pair of handles secured to the edges of said walls and positioned relative to the length of said bag to permit folding thereof a plurality of times, said handles in said folded condition of the bag lying medially and on opposite edges thereof and being adapted to be brought to-,

gether to further compact the bag and provide means for carrying the same.

HELEN L. BU'I'MAN. 

